Switch mechanism



ocr. s, 1929. o, s, HERSHEY 1,730,426

SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 27, 1926 www Patentedv Oct. 8,v 1929 n. UNITED STATES PATE-NT oFFICEr/ ORVDLLE S. HEiSHEYyOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO HERSHEY MANUFACTUR- JNG'COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOISA. CORPORATION 0F COLORADO SWITCH MECHAN'ISM origiai application filed october 27, t v

Thisinvention relates-to a switch mechanism vadapted especially for an automobile .opened without actuation of the lock, whereby the motor may be disabled it also provides for a coincidental operation, in which ,both

the lock and switch-are aHected simultaneously, or nearly so. This actuation of either the switch or lock,- or both, is effected by a ,single means having an optional dual movement.

An exemplitication ofk this invention in a preferred form is set forth in the accompanying drawings,`in the manner following: O

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a suggestive lock structure with which is associated the presentV switch mechanism, also shown in section;

Fig. 2 which is a View in eievaubn looking into the switch housing, shows the parts related to break-the circuit in which the switch is interposed; y

Fig. 3 is asimilar view showing the switch moved to closed position; Y

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the switch moved to a second openposition and Fig. 5 is a erspective view of the vmovable block which orms the cnducting element in the switchv shown in Fig. 1.

The suggestive lock erein shown may be contained within a housing A through which is an. opening for accommodating a column B wherein-is extended a post C connectinga steering wheel with the swiveled running wheels, usually at the front of an automobile.

Secured fast to the post is'a collar D having therein a groove or socketv 6 which may be brought into register with an opening 7 formed in the column. Suitable means for attaching the housing to a fixed art of an automobile-its instrument boar for example, ma be provided.

he locking .mechanism herein shown in- 1926, Serial No. 144,480. Divided and this application led. April 9, 1927. Serial No. 182,260.

cludes va bolt 8` adapted to be projected through the column into the socket 6. This bolt 'is yieldingly associated with manipulative means which may take the form of a hollow plunger 9 wherein is accommodated a coil spring 10 which bears with pressure against one end of the bolt.l The outward movement of the bolt relative to the plunger may be arrested by a plate 11 which abuts against one end shoulder of a flat 12 formed in the bolt surface. `A reciprocable movement may be imparted to the plunger by means of a lockcylinder 13 operable with akey (not shown) designed specially therefor.` At the rear end of the cylinder I have shown an eccentric 14 which is disposed within a slot 15 formed transversely of the plunger. With rotation of the cylinder, the eccentric vtransmits an endwisemovement to the plunger whereby the locking bolt is moved toward or from the steering post'C. It is desirable to employ a lock cylinder wherein the key may be inserted or removed only when the cylinder is in one of dtwo rotative ositions, i. e.. either when the plunger 9 is ully advanced or retracted.

Associated with a lock of the general chari acter described is a switch which may be interposed inl an electrical circuit-the motor ignition circuit, for example. Such a switch is preferably contained `within a housing E which may be fastened removably to lthe under or rear side of lthe lock housing as by means of bolts or screws 25. A/s shown, the switch includes a pair of binding posts 16 extended thron h the housing in spaced relation, each post` aving a head 17 which is exposed to lform a contact.` These two contacts are arranged adjacent one face of a chamber within the housing wherein is a movable switch block 18, preferably of 'elongated form, as shown. The chamber lis longer than the block whereby the latter may be reciprocated longitudinally therewithin, and is also enlarged laterally at one end by the oblique extension of one wall 19. Byv this construction one end vof the block may also be swun to one side, as indicated in Fig. 4. This movido Y trally by a /cross sloti'wherein may be seated the crimped central portion of a spring brush 21 the two-ends of which, disposed in the channel, arefadapted to engage with the terminal post contacts 17.. IIt is contemplated that the two posts of the switch shall be interposed in an electrical circuit which is broken when the movable-block 18 is shifted longitudinally to one end of the housing chamber,n

'10 (and closed when moved to -itsoppo'site end vwhere anelectrical connection is established between the tw/ terminals 17. The circuit may also be broken when one end of the mov-- able block is shifted laterally, as in FigJi, so

as to disengage from the proximate contact 17.

l A switch having the general characteristics set forth herein may be' operated by move-1 ment of the plunger 9, the outer end of which' Iis, equipped with a manipulating head 22 produced conveniently as a Yseparate unit. The

operative connectionnbetween` the plunger Y and the movable switch block may consist of.

a pin 23 lwhich is extended laterally from the plunger for loose 'engagement within a socket in the block. Any movements of the plunger, whether reciprocatory or oscillatory, are

transmitted to the block, the effectbeing to erating key. Oscillationsfof the pl ger are I the cross ,slot 15,.'

ei'ected .by manipulation bf its head. 22 to which no opposition is offered by the eccentric 14 by reason'of its sliding disposition within The plunger mayv be yielding held against rotation froma normal position as=by means of any lsuitable detent (not shown) It is desirable, however, to provide for turning normal position of Fig. 2. f

1 plate is formed wit shown)having'o`ne oblique edge correspond- Icharacteristics herein set fort the plunger back to normal in'` case ofl a reciprocation Awhich starts fom the off position ofthe switch, as in Fig. 4. `For this pur-l pose use is made of a guide plate 24 which is arranged in place adjacent the .lock housing within the housin ,E for the switch. This i a suitable guide slot (not ingl generally to the wall19 for engaging the pin 23,Y whenever the plunger is advanced 1n response to rotation of the lo'ck cylinder, the

the general;

\ A switch mechanismlhavingl d is also a vantageous in that tit may be formed and handled as a unit independent of the lock housing. Its installation is facilitated by reason of the simplicity of its operative connection'with the lock. This conectionis loose with' respe to the switch so as to per`- mit this part to e attached or removed freely ivithout doing other than manipulating the claimed have been disclosed in my c'o-pending application Serial N. 144,480, filed .Qctober- 27, 1926,'of4-which this is adivisional case.

1.` In combination with a lock mechanism, 'a switch `connected for operation therewith and including `a housing wherein is an elongated chamber having an oblique lwall whichl terminates at a widened end of the chamber,

a block slidably fitted to reciprocate length- `wise of the chamber and to swinglaterally `adjacent the oblique rwall therein, a pail: of contacts within the chamber having an interposed connection with an electrical circuit, `and conductor means movable withv theblock to engage both contacts whereby to complete the circuit when the block is in one end posiv 'tion and to disengage from one contact where- ,i byto break the circuit when the blockis in either of its other two positions, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a lock 'mechanism-,

a'switch connected lfor operation therewith f and including an insulated Ihousing aiiix'dthereto and co-operating therewith to4 pro- -vide an enclosedchamber of/elongatedform having one end widened, a block movable to either end of the chamber and shiftable laterally thereof t a third position at its widened The features of invention hereinafteriend, a pair of spaced contactsv carried by the v housing-and interposed in an electrical cir-v cuit, and. a brush carried by@ the block. and

extending between the two contact/s to complete the circuit whenv the block is in one 'position, the brush being adaptedto disengage from one contact to break the circuitwhen the block is shifted to either of its other two positions, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a lock -mechanism having a control which is oscillatable and .reciprocable, a switch connected with the lock vmechanism for operation' therewith and inclu'ding an insulated housing aiixed thereto and cooperating therewith to provide an ehclosed chamber of elongated form, a 'block movablel to either end of the chamber andguided in its movements by the walls thereof,

a pair. of spaced contacts carried by the housing and interposed in-an electrical circuit, and a. brush carried by the vblock and.

extended between the-twov contacts to comeffect Abeing to turn the plunger also to itsm plete the circuit when the block is in one end position, the brush being adapted to disengage from one contact to break the circuit and including an insulated housing axed. thereto and cooperating therewith to rovide'A an enclosed chamber bf .elongated orm, a block movable either end' of the chamber and guided in its movements by the walls thereof, a pair of spaced contacts carried by the housing and interposed in an electrical circuit, and a brush carried by the block and extendedvbetween the two contacts to 5 complete the circuit when the block is in one end position, the brush being adapted to disengage from one contact to break the circuit When the block is shifted to another position.

oRviLLE s. HERSHEY. 

